November 24, 2025
Alcohol at work events - getting the right balance of risk vs engagement
The way alcohol is perceived at work is changing, leaving HR teams questioning how they should structure work events and celebrations.
Having difficult conversations at work and preventing workplace conflict
Essential communication skills training for leaders to manage people risk, prevent conflict, protect culture and build trust.
Skills-based learning
In high-performing organisations, the ability to have skilled, constructive conversations isn’t just a “soft skill” – it’s a control. When difficult conversations at work are avoided or handled poorly, conflict grows, wellbeing suffers and people risk increases. And with managers responsible for around 70% of the variance in engagement and wellbeing, the quality of their conversations matters more than ever.
Our communication skills training programme for leaders builds the confidence to manage conflict in the workplace early and handle difficult conversations at work humanly – before issues escalate into conduct concerns, grievances or attrition. Through interactive workshops, practical models and real-world scenarios, leaders learn to spot early warning signs, manage emotional responses and build trust through clear, human conversations.
Every conversation matters – it can create risk, or it can build culture.
What's covered
Managing conflict early through better conversations
Effective conflict management is not about reacting once issues have escalated, but about understanding how to handle conflict in the workplace early and constructively. Our conflict management training courses focus on building practical conflict management skills that help leaders recognise emerging tensions, manage emotional responses and intervene before problems become entrenched.
By equipping leaders with clear frameworks for handling conflict as a manager, organisations can actively reduce people risk. This proactive approach helps to prevent conflict in the workplace and minimises the need for formal grievance or resolution processes.
Why communication training matters
What improved communication builds
Outcomes of conflict management skills training
byrne∙dean has been an outstanding partner in designing, developing and delivering training – both in person and online. They have been responsive and flexible as our partnership grew over time, delivering at scale across the globe. They worked closely with us to customize content and delivery, and have consistently received excellent feedback from participants and senior leaders alike.
Learning & Leadership Development Executive, Bank of America
The latest thinking from our team
November 3, 2025
What to do if you've gotten drunk and acted inappropriately at a work event?
Founder Matt Dean shares learnings from decades of experience on how one should navigate this common scenario.
October 7, 2025
Harriet Harman Report on sexual harassment: How should law firms respond?
Experienced lawyer and byrne·dean Director and Head of Training, Helen Dallimore, shares how law firms must respond.
Let’s get connected.
Our highly experienced team of workplace behaviour and wellbeing experts are here to help. Drop us a line for world class guidance and advice.
We can help you make positive, long-lasting changes to your workplace culture, whatever your requirements.
Workplace training
World class sessions in workplace behaviour, mental health & wellbeing, equity, diversity & inclusion, risk & accountability, leadership and people skills - delivered in person, virtually or via digital learning modules, to individuals and groups of any size.
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Mediation, investigations & conflict resolution
Helping to resolve workplace behaviour concerns with investigations, mediations and independent partnering.
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Workplace strategy consulting
Recommending the best HR and people strategies – from inclusion and wellbeing to instilling cultural change – expertly and with objectivity.
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